A visit to Pike Place Market is a Seattle tradition. It is probably best known for the Seattle fish market and its famous fishmongers throwing fish in Seattle.
An iconic destination opened in 1907; this Seattle market is one of the United State’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s markets.
Nevertheless, today Pike Place Market is much more than just a farmer’s market. It’s an impressive pillar of the community; a top tourist attraction; a place for locals to shop for fresh meats, fish, and produce; and a home to over 300 low-income families.
Pike Place Market is a lively destination that attracts over 10 million visitors annually. We were among them.
Famous Seattle public market sign
I couldn’t resist taking this classic shot of this Seattle Public Market sign at the entrance (see above). Although I now think this neon sign looks more interesting at night.
Looking back to opening day at Pike Place Market
The Pike Place Market has been a direct link from producers to consumers since it opened in 1907 in a community attempt to combat high wholesale prices. With an interesting and controversial history, it was successful from its first moments.
Several versions of the opening day story exist, but all end with the ten farmers’ produce wagons selling out by midday, and up to 70 farmers bringing carts by the end of the week.
The speech by Seattle City Councilman Thomas Revelle at the opening dedication captured a sentiment still true today, “The Market is yours. I dedicate it to you and may it prove of benefit to you and your children. It is for you to protect, defend, and uphold and it is for you to see that those who occupy it treat you fairly. This is one of the greatest days in the history of Seattle.”
Seattle fish throwing
For me (and many visitors), it was the Pike Place Fish Market that stood out amongst the over 500 independent store owners offering everything from food to crafts.
Famous for throwing the customer’s fish before it is wrapped, it is part of the fun. It’s easy to find, just follow the cheers from the crowd.
And, if you are wondering where to stand to get the best shot, it is off to the side. Take a look, in the first shot I chose the wrong spot in the crowd, as the fish came almost directly at me and is difficult to spot in the photo.
Pike Place Market Starbucks is the world’s first Starbucks
If you ever wondered where Starbucks got started, now you know. It was right here at Pike Market.
The original Starbucks opened in 1971, later moving to a different location, but staying with the Pike Place Market. If you are looking for a fun gift for a coffee drinker, check out a Pike Place Starbucks Mug.
Pike Place Market food tours
If you don’t know what to try first, or you just want a bit of the best, take a Pike Place Market tour. These are all food-based tours.
| TOUR | # OF STOPS | FEATURED FOODS |
| Taste of the Market Tour | 8 | Family-friendly tour Fresh biscuits, real Italian gelato Greek Yogurt, Mexican street tacos, smoked salmon, chowder, truffles, hand-crafted Bavarian meats, and salmon burger |
| Chef-Guided Food Tour | 10 | Family Friendly Tour Mac and Cheese, Fair Trade coffee, all-natural doughnuts, savory tarts, Greek Yogurt, German sausage, salmon fillet, dark chocolate |
| Food and Cultural Walking Tour | 9-10 | Fresh produce, locally-roasted coffee, cherry-inspired treats, crab cakes, Russian piroshki pastries, handmade cheeses, clam chowder, old-fashioned doughnuts |
| Walking Food Tour | 6+ | Artisan salami and cheese, gelato and crumpets, clam chowder, smoked salmon, Italian truffles, and a glass of wine |
Other finds in this Seattle market
The market is generally crowded, but flowing. Despite all the people, we found it easy to move about and find what we were looking for.
We didn’t buy a fish, as we are staying in a hotel without a kitchen. However, we did enjoy some mouth-watering freshly picked produce and browsing many of the Pike Place Market shops.
I will admit, we ate most of the things we bought at the market. Between restaurants, irresistible fruit stalls, and the sweets, we did not walk away from Pike Place Market hungry. However, we also didn’t have a souvenir in the lot.
Final thoughts on Pike Place Market
Today, Pike Place Market is much more than a farmer’s market.
It’s also a place of community, creating a neighborhood. Amid the retail space are high-end condominiums, affordable housing, and low-income senior housing units. The community service expands even farther with a food bank, senior center, medical clinic, and childcare.
Rachel the Piggy Bank (a life-size piggy bank) sits under the main sign welcoming visitors and collecting change totaling about $10,000 per year in donations.
What else might you find? Who knows.
According to Legends of America, Pike Place Market is not only haunted; it may be the most haunted place in Seattle. It was a must-see city when we planned our American road trip.
Practical information on visiting Pike Place Market
- The main gate to the market is located at 1st Ave and Pike St.
- Download a copy of the official visitor’s guide and pike place map here, before you go. The market is large and it is quite useful.
- The Market is open 363 days a year, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- Opening hours vary by activity with bakeries and cafes opening at 6 am for breakfast and some restaurants staying open until 1.30am. General Pike Place Market opening hours are 9 am- 6 pm and Sundays 9 am-5 pm. The complete timetable can be found here.
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans or Motorhomes: we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
What is your favorite thing to do atPike Place Market? Do you believe it is haunted?
More from the USA you might like, including our USA Adventure road trip.
Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
Urvisha Patel
I love to visit markets. and I Like purple carrots, So Good Shop. Thanks For Sharing
Rhonda Albom
I have never eaten a purple carrot, but I do love the way they look.
Mandy
Pike Street Market is on my bucket list. This is a great write up about it! I love how you discussed that Pike Street market is a place of community. All of your pictures are wonderful and really make me feel like I’m there experiencing it with you! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Linda Bibb
What a great photo introduction to Pike Place Market! I’ve heard of it but not yet had the opportunity to visit. Our daughter is now a Seattle resident and we have been looking for a way to visit. I’m sure she’ll take us there. She knows we love markets – we always look for snacks and such to enjoy while we’re there.
Rhonda Albom
I am sure you will visit here. We loved Seattle. It is my new favorite US city. I wish we stayed longer than just four days. My last few posts have been about it, plus I have one more summary post coming out on Sunday. I hope you get there to visit your daughter soon. Family is great, and what a wonderful place to live.
Amila @Leisure and Me
I love to visit markets.Usually a market is full of interesting things.It is active and live too.This market looks like a community which people are so active.
Rhonda Albom
The community of aspect of this one makes it really special.
Lauren Bishop
I love markets of all shapes and sizes around the world and Pike Place was no exception. Thank you for taking me back and reminding me how wonderful it is! I especially appreciated that you highlighted the community aspect of markets.
Rob+Ann
This is easily one of our favorite spots in Seattle! It’s almost become tradition to grab some goodies from the market, and head upstairs for a picnic lunch with a view of the bay. And, of course, feeding Rachel our change on the way out. Awesome post – brings back such great memories!
Rhonda Albom
Reading your comment I wish we had enjoyed a picnic. Now I have another reason to head back to Seattle.
Brooke
Pike Place Market is a fun place to visit and a must-see in Seattle! Intriguing to learn about it’s history and fun to see your photos, I felt as though I was reliving my experience there from last spring.
Rhonda Albom
Glad to bring you back there.
Trekking with Becky
LOL! I love the bathroom sign! 😀
I’ve never seen purple carrots. Although I hate carrots, it’s an interesting thing to think about.
Rhonda Albom
I hadn’t seen colored carrots like that before either. I thought they were pretty cool, and great for a photograph.
Anda
This looks like a great market, I will surely visit it if I make it to Seattle. So far I’ve been living on the West Coast of the USA for almost 30 years, but still didn’t get to see Seattle. Good thing that you didn’t get hit by that flying fish, but you’ve caught a great shot by standing there. Very suggestive pictures, Rhonda!
Rhonda Albom
We lived in San Francisco for 15 years and never made it up north either (except for one quick trip to Seattle). We love Seattle and our drive from Portland to SF along the coast. I recommend it.
Ruth
I think this is the first place I would stop by in Seattle. Do you know if there are establishments that cook the fish on site?
Rhonda Albom
I think I read there are 30 restaurants and cafes in the market. If not that many, there are plenty.
Eileen g
I love the Pike Place Market. It’s always a tease visiting a market like this when we don’t have a kitchen. So many things we can’t cook! But you can always eat fruit!
Rhonda Albom
True, but we are lucky, we love fresh produce.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
It looks like you’re quickly becoming a pro on the new Olympus, the pictures are great! I love the expression on the fish monger in the second shot.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Jim. It’s an upgrade on the camera I was shooting with, only many of the buttons do different things, or turn in the opposite direction. These things can all be programmed, and I am not sure how much I changed on the old one, or the camera changed in models. It’s increasing and decreasing light through f stop and shutter that spin opposite (plus the buttons that do each are reversed). I am getting used to now, but at first it was taking way to long to get the shot I wanted as I shoot all manual.
Katy
Love this market and it’s special pig mascot. Markets are my favourite spots in any city and this one looks fantastic with the focus on fresh seafood. I do like the bathroom sign. Men should definitely be encouraged to change babies!
Rhonda Albom
I also love markets, and tend to include them when we travel to new cities. The bathroom sign made me laugh.
Molly
I love places like this. We don’t have any markets near us which is a real shame
Mollyxxx
Rhonda Albom
We sometimes drive 45 min to an hour to get to some of the better markets.
Lydia C. Lee
I love the fish in the air shots – how many of those did you have to take?? We often go to ‘wet’ markets when overseas. So interesting…
Comedy Plus
Never been there and have no knowledge if it’s haunted or not. I do believe that some places are though.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
It does make you wonder.
L. Diane Wolfe
I love Pike’s Market. My best friend used to live in Seattle and we went to the Market every time we visited. Found the best book shop in the world there.
Rhonda Albom
Too bad I missed the best book shop
Lexa Cain
I loved the pic of the thrown fish! I think you captured the movement very well. Those fresh fruits look fabulous! I doubt I’ll ever be in Seattle, so I really appreciate you sharing this great place with us. 🙂
Mary {The World Is A Book}
Love Pikes! It is such a great place to wander around and the fish market is always a hit. Never heard of the haunted part. My favorite cheese place is around the corner called Beecher’s (best mac-n-cheese and grilled cheese).
Rhonda Albom
I hadn’t heard the haunted part before doing a bit of research for this post. Too bad I didn’t know about your cheese shop while we were there.
Paula McInerney
I have always wanted to visit Seattle for Pike Place Market and Pearl Jam. Both could be haunted 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Seattle is a great city, it really surprised me.
Janie Junebug
I have indeed been to Pike Place Market. We had lunch at a restaurant there. The view was incredible, and the price of a salad was huge. The shops are fun. I never heard anything about it being haunted, but I’m also not a believer in ghosts.
Love,
Janie
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
We loved the salmon throwing, although it was a bit contrived the day we visited – done for the tourists rather than the customers.
Rhonda Albom
I have a feeling it was the same when we were there, but they made it look real 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I’ve been there! So many cool shops.
Rhonda Albom
It is a great market.